X-Press Pearl disaster Archbishop files FR petition seeking compensation for fishing community

• The petitioner is also seeking an order directing the authorities to  prepare the estimated loss and damage caused to the fishing industry in  Sri Lanka

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The Archbishop of Colombo as head of the Roman-Catholic Church in Sri Lanka- Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court seeking an order directing the authorities to provide financial assistance to the fishermen in the Gampaha, Colombo, and Kalutara Districts who have lost their income following the X-Press Pearl disaster.  

This petition has been listed to be taken up for support on November 9.   

The petitioner had named Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda, Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Port Authority Chairman Nihal Keppetipola, Marine Environmental Protection Authority, Harbour Master Capt. K.M. Nirmal P. Silva, Sea Consortium Pte. Limited (X-Press Feeders), Sea Consortium Lanka (Pvt.) Limited and several others as respondents.   

The petitioner is also seeking an order directing the authorities to prepare the estimated loss and damage caused to the fishing industry in Sri Lanka, resulting from the burning and sinking of the MV X-Press Pearl.   
The Petitioner stated that he had instituted this lawsuit  in the best interests of the public and the environment, to ensure justice, and to secure meaningful and due relief and redress in respect of the severe ecological and economic consequences arising from and out of the burning and sinking of the naval merchant vessel ‘X-Press Pearl’, off the Western coast of Sri Lanka on or around June 2, 2021, including to specifically ensure the rights and interests of the fishing communities in the Gampaha, Colombo, and Kalutara Districts.   

The Petitioner state that the marine pollution caused as a result of the fire on board the vessel and sinking of the same MV X-Press Pearl resulted in two grave and egregious consequences: namely, widespread environmental damage, and economic losses caused to the fishing communities of the Western Province.   The petitioner said a total sum of Rs. 109.9 Million has been paid as compensation to the most severely affected fishermen and communities, despite initial representations claiming that UDS 3.6 Million (approximately Rs. 720 Million) would be reserved as compensation for the said fishermen and communities as an interim payment for the period 20/05/2021 to 02/06/2021.